Transforming Lives: Voices from the Front-lines of Anti Human Trafficking initiatives at the Indo-Bangladesh Border in Basirhat

Transforming Lives: Voices from the Front-lines of Anti Human Trafficking initiatives at the Indo-Bangladesh Border in Basirhat

December 11, 2023

A) Testimonials of Child Parliament Members:

1. “After the formation of the Child Parliament group in our village, child marriages have now stopped in our village and every child is now studying.”

Child Parliament Member: Labani Sarkar, Age 17 yrs,  Village- Jaynagar.

2. “I came to the child parliament group of KMWSC and learned a lot. When one of my friends went missing, I had taken initiative to file FIR. After that, my friend was rescued by police and now she is continuing her studies.”

Child Parliament Member: Mousumi Sarkar, Age 15 yrs, Village- Sayestanagar.

3. “My village is Muslim dominated. That’s why even though I am a Muslim; I did not leave the group despite so many obstacles and objections from the people of the village. Rather, I explained to the villagers and got many children from the village to join the Child Parliament group.”

Child Parliament Member: Marufa Khatoon, Age 17 yrs, Village- Bhaduria.

4. “I came to Child parliament group and learned many unknown facts about child marriage, which made me aware of how harmful child marriage is for a child and society. So when I got the news of one of my friend’s marriage, the friend’s parents were concerned about how harmful child marriage is for their daughter and here I succeeded in convincing them. Finally my friend’s parents postponed their daughter’s marriage for 3 years until she turned 18.”

Child Parliament: Apu Gain, Age 15, Village- Goyaldaha.

B) Empowering Communities: Stories of Change from KMWSC’s Anti Human Trafficking Initiatives 

1. “After I joined the Community Vigilance Committee (CVC) group, I became friends with my children. Also my kids now share all their ups and downs with me. It has strengthened our bond.”

CVC Member: Mamata Sarkar – Housewife, Village – Sayestanagar.

2. “Since my childhood I wanted to do something for the society. Unfortunately, because of getting married at a young age, I couldn’t do anything. When I came to know about this Community Vigilance group of KMWSC I joined here immediately. In the last 3 years, I have stopped about 9 child marriage cases in my village.”

CVC Member: Jamuna Mondal – Housewife, Village – Koijhuri.

C) From Victim to Victor: Testimonials of Hope from Survivors of Human Trafficking

1. “I am now sewing petticoats with a sewing machine which is given by KMWSC and earning my own income. It has helped me to grow confident.”

Name: Sukanya Das (Name Changed)

2. “I am the domestic survivor. When I joined KMWSC survivor group, I had no meaning in life. But after many counselling session by KMWSC’s Resource person I want to live again, now I have joined brickfield project as a teacher. I have found the meaning of my life as a teacher of little children belonging to underprivileged migrant families.”

Name: Arpita Ghosh (Name Changed)

3. “I got 2 goats from KMWSC. The goats gave birth to 2 kids. Now I can attain economic independence by selling the baby goats.”

Name: Arifa Bibi (Name Changed)